Couples seek right to wed

University groups celebrated National Freedom To Marry Day, discussed difficulties same-sex couples have when trying to marry.

When President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act on Sept. 20, 1996, same-sex marriages were banned throughout the United States.

Many states, including Pennsylvania, have added emphasis to that statement by adopting similar legislation within their borders, prohibiting men to marry men and women to marry women.

National Freedom to Marry Day is a countermeasure.

"I don't think people realize how many obstacles there are for same-sex couples," said Duane Gildea (sophomore-human development and family studies), political co-director of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance. "Our goal is awareness."

LBGSA has commemorated the day throughout this week with guest speakers, informational tables, a candle vigil and a ribbon-wearing campaign. The ribbons represent the marital idiom of "tying the knot" and serve as a visual reminder that support and recognition should be given to marriages in all forms, said Steve McCann (senior-human development and family studies), social educational co-director of the LGBSA.

"Marriage is a commitment between two people that love each other," McCann said. "Why do we feel the government is a better judge of who I can love and who I can't?"

The debate about the government's involvement in same-sex marriage legislation is largely based on the issue of marital benefits. American society places such importance on marital status that gay and lesbian couples cannot receive the same rights and privileges as married heterosexual couples, said LGBSA member Heather Solimini (sophomore-women's studies).

"There's no spousal recognition," said LGBSA member Derek Morr (freshman-computer science). "You're seen as two people who cohabitate, rather than a couple in a long-term, committed relationship."

Alex Cadman, president of Students Reinforcing Adherence In General Heterosexual Tradition, said same-sex marriages would devalue the institution of marriage and it is therefore the government's responsibility to uphold certain standards.

"The government is a representation of the people, so if it legislates a law saying same-sex marriages are OK, then the message it is sending to society is that homosexuality is morally right," Cadman said. "My position is that marriage is, by definition, between a man and a woman."

However, Morr said he believes same-sex marriages would not threaten the concept of marriage, but rather would serve to enhance it.

"If the point of marriage is to give social acceptance and extra benefits to people in a long-term, committed relationship, then the gender of the spouses shouldn't matter," he said.

McCann said he saw both his brother and his sister get married in "wonderful ceremonies" and receive full marital benefits, and he would like to be granted the ability to have the same experience someday.

Morr is optimistic that same-sex marriages will be a reality in the future.

"I hope that legalization will be realized in my lifetime," Morr said. "If I do eventually meet someone that I feel strongly enough about to share my life with him, then I would like to get married."